Method and apparatus for anchoring draw cords



METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR .ANCHORING DRAW CORDS Filed Oct. 6, 1949 Aug.29, 1950 R. GLEAVE EI'AL 3 Sheets-Sheet Ll DHU nHU

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A118. 950 R. GLEAVE EI'AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANCHORING DRAW CORDSFiled Oct. 6, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 29, 1950 R. GLEAVE ETAL.

METHOD m: APPARATUS FOR mcnoamc mm: CORDS Filed Oct. 6, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 7.

FIG. 5.

Patented Aug. 29, 1950 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANCHORING DRAW CORPSRussell Gleave and Edwin A. Dickmann, St. Louis, Mo., assignors to BemisBro. Bag Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Originalapplication December 26, 1948, Serial No. 718,308. Divided and thisapplication October 6, 1949, Serial No. 119,914

10 Claims.

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for anchoring draw cordsand more particularly to methods and apparatus for anchoring the ends ofa draw cord woven into an openmesh fabric bag.

This application is a division of our copending application entitledDraw Cord Anchorage, Serial No. 718,308, filed December 26, 1946.

The invention has as its particular object the provision of a method andapparatus for quickly, efliciently and reliably anchoring the ends of adraw cord in an open-mesh bag to prevent the draw cord from being pulledout of the bag when it is drawn up to close the mouth of the bag. Ingeneral, the method involves the immersion of the portion of the bagincluding the ends of the draw cord in a pool of fluid adhesive anddriving a staple through the bag in the area of the pool and clinchingit around the ends of the draw cord while the said portion of the bag isso immersed in the pool of adhesive. The apparatus, in general,comprises a stapler including a clincher block having a clinching recessand a staple-driving element adapted to drive a staple into the recessfor clinching it, and means for supplying fluid adhesive to the surfaceof the clincher block. Other features will be in part apparent and inpart pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations ofelements, steps and sequence of steps, features of construction andmanipulation, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in thestructures and methods hereinafter described, and the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possibleembodiments of the invention is illustrated:

Fig. 1 is a view of a completed bag embodying the improved draw cordanchorage of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the bag of Fig. I particularlyillustrating the improved draw cord anchorage;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the improved apparatus of the inventionfor forming the draw cord anchorage of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view diagrammatically illustrating equipment for continuousproduction of the draw cord anchorages of Fi and,

Fig. 'l is an enlarged detail section taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Fruits, vegetables and the like are often packed in open-mesh bags, suchas illustrated at I in Figs. 1 and 2, which have draw cords 3 forclosing the mouths of the bags after filling. These bags are generallyformed from lengths of openmesh fabric, such as a leno-weave fabric, cutfrom a continuous web in which the draw cord is pre-woven along onemargin. A bag is formed by folding such a length of fabric at 5 to bringthe cut ends 'l of the length of the fabric and the cut ends 9 of thedraw cord together, and then stitching the ends 'I and the bottom marinsII to form side and bottom seams i3 and I5. respectively. This resultsin an openmouthed bag having draw cord 3 loosely interwoven thereinadiacent its mouth.

The ends 9 of the draw cord must be anchored to the bag to prevent thecord from being pulled out when it is drawn up to close the mouth of thebag. The stitching l3 cannot be relied upon for anchoring these endssince it is too coarse, due to the open-mesh characteristic of the bagfabric. Heretofore, the ends have been anchored either by kotting them,or by folding over the corner of the bag prior to stitching. Knotting isa tedious and time-consuming procedure. The folding procedure is moresatisfactory than knotting, but'is time-consuming. This inventionprovides an improved, secure anchorage for the ends of the draw cordwhich may be quickly and easily formed without any knottying, folding orthe like.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the draw cord anchorage of this inventioncomprises a staple I! driven through the bag fabric and clinched aroundthe ends of the draw cord, and a mass of adhesive,

i9 adhesively bonding the ends of the cord to the bag. The adhesive isapplied over a substantial area surrounding the staple and not onlybonds the ends of the cord to the bag but also fills or tends to flllthe interstices of the openmesh bag fabric, as indicated at 2|, to forma stiff matrix in which the staple and the ends of the cord areadhesively embedded. This 10- cally stlifens the bag weave, preventsdisplacement of the staple relative to the bag by preventing sliding oithe staple along the individual strands of the open-mesh bag fabricaround which it is clinched, and distributes the load to increase theresistance of the anchorage to pulling out of the cord. The result is ananchorage wherein the ends of the cord are securely affixed to the bagto prevent the cord from being pulled out of the bag under the usualamount of force applied to the cord 'in drawing it up to close the bagmouth. The staple and adhesive are applied outside of the side seam I3,50 as not to obstruct the bag mouth.

This invention also contemplates a novel method for quickly andefficiently forming the above-described matrix anchorage with minimummanipulation of the bag, thus effecting rapid production. In accordancewith this method, the anchorage is formed by presenting the corner ofthe bag to a stapling apparatus, the clincher block or anvil of which ismaintained covered with fluid adhesive, with the ends of the draw cordsubstantially centered with respect to the staple-driving element of theapparatus. The stapler is then operated to drive the staple through thebag and to clinch it around the ends of the cord. As the bag iswithdrawn from the apparatus, it picks up a mass of adhesive from theclincher block, thereby embedding the staple and the ends of the cord inadhesive. When the adhesive sets, it forms the aforesaidadhesive-stiffened portion of the bag. The only manipulation required inthis method is the presentation of the bag to the stapling apparatus andwithdrawal of the bag after the staple has-been driven. No separate stepof applying the adhesive is necessary, since the adhesive is appliedcoincidentally with the presentation of the bag to the staplingapparatus.

Figs. 3-5 illustrate the apparatus of this invention for carrying outthis method and forming the anchorage of Fig. 2. This apparatuscomprises a wire stapling machine to which is added means adapting themachine for use in conveniently carrying out the method of thisinvention. In general, the stapling machine comprises a supportincluding a base 25, a vertical column 21, and a horizontal head 29extending forward from the upper end of the column. At the forward endof the head is a housing 3| enclosing the staple forming and drivinginstrumentalities of the machine, generally designated 33, and includinga staple driving element 35. These instrumentalities are the usual onesadapted to cut off a length of wire fed thereto by feed rolls 31 from acoil 39 carried by a coil holder 4| supported on head 29, to form thislength of wire into a staple of inverted U-shape, and to drive thestaple through the work and against a clincher block 43. This block iscarried upon the outer end of an arm 45 adjustably mounted on column 21and has a clinching recess 41 wherein the legs of the U-shaped stapleare turned in to clinch it around the work. The staple forminginstrumentalities reciprocate within housing 3|, bein driven by a shaft49. This shaft is driven by a motor through a transmission housed withina guard 53 under control of a pedal 55. Since the specific constructionof such a stapling machine is well known further detail is unnecessary.

In accordance with the invention, means is provided for supplying fluidadhesive to the upper surface of the outer end of arm 45 to coverclincher block 43 so that a bag presented to the apparatus will pick upadhesive, as previously described. This means includes a container 51for a supply of adhesive, carried on head 29 of the stapling machine ina bracket 59 fixed to the head. A rubber tube 6| forms a conduit forgravity feed of adhesive from an outlet 63 in the lower end of container51 to a trough 65. Trough 65 is carried upon arm 45 by a suitablebracket 66 and conducts adhesive to the upper surface of the outer endof arm 45 and the upper surface of the clincher block. Flow of adhesiveis under control of a stop cock valve 61 connected into the lower end oftube 6|. Adhesive overflowing from the outer end of arm 45 is caught ina trough 69 which conducts it to an overflow receptacle 1| placed upon aplatform 13 fixed on column 21.

Also in accordance with this invention, means is provided to prevent thestaple driving instrumentalities of the machine from fouling withadhesive. This means comprises a pipe 15 for conducting a solvent forthe particular adhesive employed, into the housing 3| to flow downwardover these instrumentalities, particularly over the lower end of thestaple-driving element 35, to keep them clean of adhesive. The solventis supplied to the pipe from a drip cup 11, such as a conventional oildrip cup, supported upon an elbow 15 at the outer end 01' the pipe withthe outlet of the cup in communication with the elbow.

An example of a suitable fluid adhesive is a solution of nitrocellulosein a suitable solvent such as acetone, acetate ester or the like. Atypical solvent in the trade is Ansol B. Others may also be used.

Container 51 is filled with such fluid adhesive and stop cock 61 isadjusted so that adhesive flows out of the container at a rateconsistent with the rate at which it is picked off the outer end of arm45 of the stapling machine in forming anchorages. The drip cup 11 isfilled with the solvent and adjusted for gradual release of solvent. Inother words, a pool of adhesive is maintained on the block 43. To forman anchorage, the operator places the corner of a bag on the end of arm45, with the ends of the draw cord substantially centered over clinchingrecess 41, and depresses pedal 55 to form, drive and clinch the staple.As the staple is driven and clinched, that portion of the bag fabricimmediately surrounding the staple is immersed in the adhesive. Afterthe staple is driven, sufllcient adhesive is forced into the intersticesaround the staple and spread so as to adhere to the'bag around thestaple and to the ends of the draw cord. This forms the aforesaid massof adhesive for stiffening purposes when set. Any adhesive adhering tothe stapledriving element 35 is dissolved in the solvent (preferably thesame as that in which the nitrocellulose is dissolved) flowing out ofpipe 15 from cup 11 and down over the staple forming and drivinginstrumentalities.

Figs. 6 and '7 illustrate a complete installation for continuous lineproduction of anchorages employing the apparatus of Figs. 3-5. Asillustrated, a plurality of the staple-and-adhesiveapplying machines 01this invention are disposed at positions A adjacent a conveyor belt 15.Operators at stations B take bags from tables C and present them to themachines, the bags being delivered upon trucks D. After the stapling andadhesive applying operation has been performed on a bag, the operatorplaces it upon conveyor belt 19, by means of which the bags are conveyedthrough a heating chamber 8|. This is formed by a hood 83 enclosing theupper reach of the belt and a heating coil 85. The solvent evaporates inthe heating chamber and the adhesive sets, to complete the process. Thecompleted bags are taken off the belt by operators at stations E andloaded on trucks F to be conveyed away.

Ano her feature to be noted is that the matrix-forming adhesive for thestaple is applied before the staple is applied. This results in plungingthe open staple into the adhesive and closing it on the clincher blockin the pool of adhesive, which not only causes adhesive to surround thestaple but to be included interiorly of it, so that it gains a good gripon whatever it clinches. In addition, the presence of the pool ofadhesive during stapling results in the descending staple-drivingelement squeezing and spreading the adhesive into an extended, though 7local, area around the staple.

A convenient feature of the invention should be noted, namely, that thecontinuous application of the solvent from cup 11 to the upper portionsof the clinching instrumentalities results in a gravity-flow of thesolvent as it does its cleaning and final appearance of the solvent inthe pool of adhesive carried on the block 41. It will be clear that theamount of solvent required in the adhesive derived from the container 51may be reduced by the amount of the solvent flowing into the pool fromthe cup 11. Thus under normal operating conditions the cleaning solventsupplies some of the normal proportion of solvent needed.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above methods and constructionswithout departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended thatall matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

We claim:

1. The method of anchoring the ends of a draw cord woven into anopen-mesh fabric bag adjacent its mouth, comprising the steps ofimmersing the portion of the bag including the ends of the cord in apool of fluid adhesive, and driving a staple through the bag in the areaof the pool and clinching it around the ends of the draw cord while saidportion is so immersed in said pool of adhesive.

2. Apparatus for forming an anchorage for the ends of a draw cord woveninto an open-mesh fabric bag adjacent its mouth, comprising a staplingapparatus including a clincher block having a clinching recess and astaple-driving element adapted to drive a staple into said re c ss forclinching it, a container for a supply of fluid adhesive and means forsupplying fluid adhesive from the container to the surface of theclincher block.

3. Apparatus for forming an anchorage for the ends of a draw cord woveninto an open-mesh fabric bag adjacent its mouth comprising a staplingapparatus including a clincher block having a clinching recess and astaple-driving element adapted to drive a staple into said recess forclinching it, a container for a supply of fluid adhesive, and a valveconduit leading from the container to the clincher block forcontinuously supplying fluid adhesive to the surface of the clincherblock to maintain a pool into which successive bag portions includingcord end portions are placed and into which pool successive staples aredriven.

4. Apparatus for forming an anchorage for the ends of a draw cord woveninto an openmesh fabric bag adjacent its mouth comprising a staplingapparatus including a clincher block having a clinching recess and astaple-driving element adapted to drive a staple into said recessforclinching it, and means for supplying fluid adhesive to the surface ofthe clincher block, and means for supplying a solvent for the adhesiveto the staple-driving element to clean it of adhesive.

5. Apparatus for forming an anchorage for the ends of a draw cord woveninto an openmesh fabric bag adjacent its mouth, comprising a staplingapparatus including a clincher block having a clinching recess and astaple-driving element adapted to drive a staple into said recess forclinching it, means for continuously supplying fluid adhesive to thesurface of the clincher block to maintain a pool of adhesive thereon,and means for continuously supplying a solvent for the adhesive to anupper portion of the staple-driving element to flow down the same bygravity and clean it of adhesive and then to flow into the pool.

6. Apparatus for forming an anchorage for the ends 01' a draw cord woveninto an openmesh fabric bag, comprising a stapling apparatus including aclincher block having a clinching recess and a staple-driving elementadapted to drive a staple into said recess for clinching it, means forconducting fluid adhesive from a supply to flow upon the surface of theclincher block, means for controlling the flow of adhesive, and meansfor collecting overflow of adhesive from said clincher block.

'7. Apparatus for forming an anchorage for the ends of a draw cord woveninto an openmesh fabric bag, comprising a stapling, apparatus includinga clincher block having a clinching recess and a staple-driving elementadapted to drive a staple into said recess for clinching it, means forconducting fluid adhesive from a supply to flow upon the surface of theclincher block, means for controlling the flow of adhesive, means forcollecting overflow of adhesive from said clincher block, and means forsupplying a solvent for the adhesive to the staple-driving element toclean it of adhesive.

8. Apparatus for forming an anchorage for the ends of a draw cord woveninto an openmesh fabric comprising a stapling apparatus including aclincher block having a clinching recess and a staple-driving elementadapted to drive a staple into said recess for clinching it, means forcontinuously conducting fluid adhesive from a supply to flow upon thesurface of the clincher block to form a pool thereon, means forcontrolling the flow of adhesive, means for collecting overflow ofadhesive from the pool on said clincher block, means for continuouslyconducting a solvent for the adhesive from a supply of said solvent toflow by gravity over the staple-driving element and clean it of adhesiveand to gravitate into said pool, and means for controlling the flow ofsolvent.

9. Apparatus for forming an anchorage for the ends of a draw cord woveninto an openmesh fabric bag, comprising a stapling apparatus includinga, supporting column, a head extending horizontally outward from theupper end of the column, staple forming and driving said means includinga valve tor controlling said flow, and means mounted on said apparatusfor collecting overflow of adhesive from said clincher block.

10. Apparatus for forming an anchorage for the ends or a draw cord woveninto an openmesh fabric bag, comprising a stapling apparatus including asupporting column, a head extending horizontally outward from the upperend oi the column, staple forming and driving means at the outer end ofsaid head, a clincher block carried upon the outer end of an armextending outward from said column, said blocli having a clinchingrecess wherein a staple driven by said staple-driving means is clinched,a con- 5 flow, means mounted on said apparatus Ior coilecting overflowof adhesive from said clincher block, and means for conducting a solventfor the adhesive from a supply of said solvent to flow over thestaple-driving element and clean n it of adhesive.

RUSSELL GLEAVI- EDWIN A. DICKMIANN.

No references cited.

